For the Baltimore Ravens, acquiring Tre’Davious White was insufficient. With the addition of veteran Desmond King to the practice squad, they continue to bolster a shifting group of cornerbacks.
On Tuesday, November 19, Ravens.com Editorial Director Ryan Mink confirmed King’s arrival. According to him, the team waived rookie free agent Ryan “Bump” Cooper Jr. to make place for King.
King, like White, was formerly an All-Pro. Additionally, he is anticipated to fill a specialized role in a secondary that is having trouble.
Desmond King, a former All-Pro defensive back, joined the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad Tuesday, according to the Associated Press.
King was named to the Los Angeles Chargers’ first team All-Pro team in 2018, but he has since moved around the NFL a bit. Along the way, the 29-year-old has played for the Houston Texans twice, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Tennessee Titans.
King barely made it off the practice squad, thus that second tour with the Texans ended this season. At a crucial position, he has a higher chance of contributing to the Ravens.
According to Mink, “King flourished in his first two seasons playing primarily at nickel cornerback.” King “could help give the Ravens more secondary depth, particularly at nickel cornerback with Arthur Maulet sidelined by a calf injury suffered last week,” thus it would make sense to move him back inside. Maulet is not currently expected to go on injured reserve, according to head coach John Harbaugh, who stated on Monday that “we’ll just have to see how it heals.”
For a strong and resourceful defensive back like King, playing in the slot, closer to the line of scrimmage, is ideal. Having intercepted 35 passes during his career, he isn’t scared to go after the ball.
King’s 9.5 sacks demonstrate his useful blitz skills as well. During last season’s playoffs, King totally destroyed running back Justice Hill with a slot blitz that NFL Network’s Kendell Hollowell highlighted, revealing those skills to the Ravens.
Baltimore also removed cornerback Bump Cooper off the practice squad.
King, 29, has only appeared in one game this season after being removed from the Houston Texans’ practice squad last week. During his second season in 2018, King was chosen for the All-Pro team. He played for the Los Angeles Chargers at the time.
King has not been a reliable starter for the Texans since 2022. He recorded two interceptions and two fumble recoveries that season.
King can contribute to the Ravens’ pressure packages because they still enjoy sending the rush from a variety of angles. However, his ability to let the Ravens rearrange things on the back end will be more valuable.
Ravens Nearing the Needed Secondary Overhaul
Head coach John Harbaugh has already made changes at safety by selecting two new starters in deep areas. The next stage for a defense that has already allowed 3,351 yards and 22 touchdowns through the air is to change the hierarchy.
White and teammate All-Pro Marlon Humphrey may be permanently moved to the perimeter if King is added to the gameday mix. Brandon Stephens, who has struggled to travel with an opponent’s top wide receiver each week, would be less burdened as a result.
The Ravens should make these adjustments, but they should be cautious about putting too much faith in defensive backs with experience. One major factor contributing to Baltimore’s pass defense’s poor performance is the underwhelming play of veterans like safety duo Marcus Williams and Eddie Jackson.
For struggling young players like Stephens and Nate Wiggins, the Ravens’ top pick in the 2024 NFL draft, the benefit of adding years to the depth chart is what King and White’s experience can signify.
